Humza Yousaf has apologised to a man left in agony for six years with severe testicular pain. The Health Secretary described the delay in patient Martin Brown’s treatment as “unacceptable”.
The 52-year-old’s condition is now so bad he can barely walk or spend time with his grandchildren. But last night, Labour’s health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie hit out, saying: “Instead of apologising, Humza Yousaf should actually fix the problem.
"After 15 years on the SNP’s watch, it is disgraceful that we have situations like this. This is clearly now beyond urgent and the Cabinet Secretary should ensure this man, and others like him, receives his operation.”
Martin was first diagnosed with the problem in 2017 - at the same time he was diagnosed with a kidney stone, a hernia and digestive illness diverticulitis. Of his four complaints, doctors felt dealing with his kidney stone was the most pressing but he said the following year he was referred to a consultant urologist.
But he claims it took three years to get an appointment. The agony continued as his testicle swelled and shrunk regularly causing him immense pain.
In 2021, he was given an X-ray in relation to his hernia and, two days later, a urologist examined the same X-ray and said there was minimal blood flow to the testicle and that it was half the size it had been in 2017. A lump was also detected in the middle of it and he was told it needed to be removed.
Martin said: “I wasn’t given any reason for the problem, I was just told the testicle needed to be removed. The pain is incredible, it is as if I am being kicked between the legs every time I move.
"The pain goes into my stomach like a steel rod. One of the first things the consultant said to me was, ‘I was meant to have seen you three years ago’, but he didn’t tell me why he hadn’t.”
Plans for treating the suspected hernia problem were put on hold because doctors believed the real issue was his testicular problem. But he has been waiting for the surgery since June 2021.
Martin said: “Finally, two weeks ago, I was given the date for the operation at St John’s on February 2. I had to chase them to get it. I had my pre-op on January 25 and was told it was marked as ‘urgent’ in August but they didn’t specify which year. But two days later they contacted me to say it had been cancelled without explanation – a year-and-a-half after I was put on the waiting list.”
He added: “Life is hell. It is affecting my whole life and sex hasn’t been on the agenda for many, many years.” Martin has been married to Cathy for 29 years and is a step-dad to her children. He said: “We have four grandchildren but I can’t even spend time with them any more.”
He rarely ventures out of his home in Musselburgh, East Lothian, and said when he has, his neighbours have had to help him home again. The inactivity has caused his weight to balloon from 16-and-a-half stones in 2016 to 23st.
But despite having being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation – an irregular and often fast heartbeat – in his 20s, his heart is in good condition. He said: “In 2016, because I was in heart failure, they didn’t expect me to live beyond 2026 but I am no longer in heart failure and my cardiologist says there is no reason I shouldn’t have the surgery.”
Martin continued: “You’re my last hope. I just want someone to call and tell me the operation is going ahead. I just want to know there is an end date.”
Last night, Health Secretary Yousaf apologised for the “unacceptable” delay. He said: “I am sorry for Mr Brown’s unacceptable wait for treatment. We are determined to clear backlogs as soon as possible.”
Dr Tracey Gillies, Medical Director, NHS Lothian, apologised for the rescheduling of Martin’s surgery, adding: “We will be in contact with him to arrange a new date as quickly as possible.”
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